Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
2203186 Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology 2007 11 Pages PDF
Abstract

The primitive chordate Ciona intestinalis has emerged as a significant model system for the study of heart development. The Ciona embryo employs a conserved heart gene network in the context of extremely low cell numbers and reduced genetic redundancy. Here, I review recent studies on the molecular genetics of Ciona cardiogenesis as well as classic work on heart anatomy and physiology. I also discuss the potential of employing Ciona to decipher a comprehensive chordate gene network and to determine how this network controls heart morphogenesis.

Related Topics
Life Sciences Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology Cell Biology
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